as in spectators
someone who sees or watches something
bystanders rushed to help the victim of the mugging
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Recent Examples of bystanders
The Department of Justice said the women started yelling that an ICE agent lived in the neighborhood at bystanders when the man arrived at home.
—
Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
In another video, the pilot is seen standing up as bystanders look on, with thick black smoke billowing in the distant background.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 2 Mar. 2026
The incident happened about half a block south of a perimeter that had been marked off for the Marathon Burger location’s grand opening, sending bystanders scrambling, according to ABC7.
—Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026
The bystanders stopped the man and detained him until county deputies arrived, according to officials.
—Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
Just as self-driving cars are now in some cases safer than those driven by humans, killer drones may some day be more accurate than a human operator, and less likely to kill bystanders during an attack.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 1 Mar. 2026
And continue to pray for the safety of the law enforcement community who are attempting to take the suspect into custody, and that no further law enforcement or innocent bystanders will be in harms way.
—Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 24 Feb. 2026
Critics, including rights groups and Democratic politicians, have accused deportation officers of using excessive force when arresting immigrants, attacking bystanders who record their conduct and failing to follow constitutional protections of people’s rights.
—Rebecca Santana, Twin Cities, 23 Feb. 2026
Black explained that his left hand became lodged in the chamber of the weapon, preventing it from firing again as other bystanders rushed in to help restrain the individual.
—Ashley Carnahan, FOXNews.com, 18 Feb. 2026
Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
In another video, the pilot is seen standing up as bystanders look on, with thick black smoke billowing in the distant background.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 2 Mar. 2026
The incident happened about half a block south of a perimeter that had been marked off for the Marathon Burger location’s grand opening, sending bystanders scrambling, according to ABC7.
—Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026
The bystanders stopped the man and detained him until county deputies arrived, according to officials.
—Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
Just as self-driving cars are now in some cases safer than those driven by humans, killer drones may some day be more accurate than a human operator, and less likely to kill bystanders during an attack.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 1 Mar. 2026
And continue to pray for the safety of the law enforcement community who are attempting to take the suspect into custody, and that no further law enforcement or innocent bystanders will be in harms way.
—Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 24 Feb. 2026
Critics, including rights groups and Democratic politicians, have accused deportation officers of using excessive force when arresting immigrants, attacking bystanders who record their conduct and failing to follow constitutional protections of people’s rights.
—Rebecca Santana, Twin Cities, 23 Feb. 2026
Black explained that his left hand became lodged in the chamber of the weapon, preventing it from firing again as other bystanders rushed in to help restrain the individual.
—Ashley Carnahan, FOXNews.com, 18 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bystanders
Noun
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Ticket prices for the game were high at the end of last week, and spectators will get the additional value of a performance on top of the original game, the Hawks said.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
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Grandstands packed with spectators ring the closing holes.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
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At least, that’s all Manning did during the 35-minute practice window opened to the various reporters, cameramen and other interested observers.—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
9 Mar. 2026
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One of the key pieces of evidence came from Bocos’s photographs on iNaturalist, a public biodiversity platform used by wildlife observers worldwide.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Founded in 2003, the Tennis Channel averaged 63,000 viewers in prime time last year.—
Lucas Shaw,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
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The ability of a single image to evoke feelings of hope and acceptance in some viewers while unsettling others is a fascinating reality of our culture and one Opie is unbothered by.—
Fiona Sinclair Scott,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bystanders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bystanders. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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